DVAC Registers FIR in Municipal Administration 'Cash-for-Jobs' Probe Following Court Directive

The Tamil Nadu government has pivoted its legal stance, allowing the anti-corruption agency to proceed with a probe into alleged irregularities during the former minister's tenure.

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Friday, June 5, 2026, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into a cash-for-jobs scandal within the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) department. The case, which pertains to the tenure of former minister K.N. Nehru, has been a subject of protracted legal wrangling, finally moving forward after the current Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government opted to withdraw its predecessor’s challenge to a judicial order.

The registration of the FIR was confirmed before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan. Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the court that the decision was taken following his formal legal opinion, clearing the path for the DVAC to act. This move comes after the High Court had originally directed the agency to register an FIR "forthwith" back in February 2026—a directive that had previously been met with a review petition by the former DMK administration.

A Shift in Legal Strategy

During the proceedings, Advocate General Narayan stated that the state government no longer intends to pursue the review petition filed by the previous regime. By withdrawing this challenge, the government has effectively bypassed the obstacles that had previously stalled the investigation. Mr. Nehru, represented by senior counsel P.H. Arvindh Pandian, had sought an urgent mention of the matter, likely anticipating the filing. However, the A-G noted that the DVAC was legally empowered to proceed, as there were no pending undertakings from the state to stay the investigation until the next scheduled hearing on June 23.

The legal landscape remains complex, as the court must still navigate the review petition filed by Mr. Nehru in his individual capacity, alongside a pending contempt-of-court petition initiated by AIADMK Rajya Sabha member I.S. Inbadurai. These petitions underscore the high-stakes political nature of the case, which has drawn sustained scrutiny from opposition parties and federal agencies alike.

Broader Context of the Investigation

The controversy centers on allegations of widespread bribery, with reports suggesting that specific posts within the municipal department were allegedly traded for sums ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 35 lakh. While the DVAC handles the state-level criminal inquiry, the issue has gained federal attention, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly seeking a broader investigation into the systemic corruption that allegedly permeated the department.

For the public and the administration, this case serves as a critical test of institutional accountability. The transition from a state-led legal blockade to an active criminal investigation signals a shift in how the state addresses allegations of job-selling rackets. As the matter moves toward the next court date on June 23, the focus will likely shift to the findings of the DVAC’s preliminary probe and whether the evidence gathered will lead to formal charges against high-ranking officials involved in the recruitment process during the period in question.